In a statement, Perry himself congratulated Cain and took a veiled shot at Romney, saying that “Floridians and voters nationally want a candidate who is clear on the issues and talks honestly about the future, not someone who takes multiple sides of an issue and changes views every election season.”

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“Today’s vote demonstrates that Floridians are energized and ready to help get America working again,” said Perry, who left Florida earlier Saturday to participate in this weekend’s GOP conference in Michigan.

Taking fourth place in the straw poll, behind Romney, was Rick Santorum with 11 percent of the vote. Ron Paul took 10 percent, followed by Newt Gingrich with 8 percent and Huntsman with 2 percent.

Finishing in last place was Michele Bachmann, the Minnesota congresswoman who took first place in the Iowa straw poll just over a month ago. That disappointing finish is the latest sign of Bachmann’s dramatic fade since Perry entered the race on that same day in mid-August.

Presidency 5 delegate Samuel Colton, a retired physician, said ahead of the straw poll that he planned to support Bachmann as the “one true conservative, tea party” candidate in the race.

But Colton said he was resigned to the likelihood that Romney would be the nominee.

Cain will receive at least a short-term boost from the straw poll results, but Romney may be the biggest winner at Presidency 5. Until this week, Perry appeared to be on his way to cementing his advantage over Romney in the primary, thanks to strong support on the right.

In the wake of a debate in Orlando that even Perry supporters acknowledged was problematic, many activist conservatives seem to have taken their votes elsewhere — to Cain, a candidate Romney does not fear.

Brooksville delegate Beth Shields said she came to the conference prepared to vote for Perry, but changed her mind after the debate and cast her ballot for Cain.

The Tea Party Express is coming straight for the elitist estatalishment in both parties and will deliver Real Hope & Change. The liberal socialist experiment has failed. 0zer0 signed the TWO largest debt ceiling hikes in history. $1.9T in 2010 and $2.4T in 2011 = $4.3T added to the debt in LESS THAN 2 YEARS by 0zer0 and liberal democrats. By contrast, GWBush added $5T in 8 YEARS. We are borrowing over 40 cents on every dollar we spend with no end in sight. This is why S&P has downgraded the US. And what have we gotten for all this debt? 9% unemployment, sub 1% GDP growth, 46 million on foodstamps, collapsing home prices, record gas and food prices, soaring insurance cost thanks to 0bamacare, and a stock market supported only by Printed Money from the Federal Reserve. The liberal socialist redistribution of wealth courtesy of President Downgrade is working… it is making ALL of us POOR.

Pelosi and Reid failed when they were in control from 2006-2010 and gave us the Great Recession. 0bamanomics is giving us the Great Depression 2.0. It’s all politics all the time for the Campaigner In Chief. The democrats are the true party of “NO”. 0zer0 rejected his own debt commission proposal that called for $4 trillion in cuts to stabilize the economy. 0zer0's budget was voted down 97-0 in the Democrat Controlled Senate. The Senate Democrats haven’t passed a budget in almost 3 years, and they voted down every GOP proposal. Why? Because the democrat plan is Tax & Spend to “invest” in their Liberal Backers like Unions, Lawyers, Welfare leeches, Illegal Aliens, Banks and Wallstreet. Our economy will NEVER recover so long as it is drowning in liberal debt caused by liberal Robinhood policies. That’s why the Fed is continuing Zero Interest Rate Policy until 2013. They know the economy won’t recover until 0zer0 and the liberal democrats are booted out of office. Meanwhile GOP governors in NJ, OH, WI are taking failed Blue states and making them successful Red states.

The Keynesian Ponzi scheme is coming to an end and will collapse like all Ponzi schemes. We must change course immediately to save our children and grandchildren from a destroyed country courtesy of the liberal democrats. Reimpose Glass-Steagall. Close the tax loopholes to level the playing field for EVERYONE. No more 50% of citizens not paying any taxes. End ALL bailouts. Repeal 0bamacare. Pass a Balanced Budget Amendment that caps federal spending at 20% of GDP to end the socialist takeover of this country by 0zer0 and the liberals. Otherwise the bankers will use government to continue the Debt Ponzi until we are slaves to the banks and the government, just like Greece. Hope & Change is now Hoax & Chains

Well, so much for Rick Scott's predictions. Look, you've gotta perform and Rick Perry hasn't done it yet. I have no idea why, I like him a lot, I want him to win, but HE has to want to win. And I'm not sure we're seeing that yet.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who had predicted ahead of the straw poll that the winner of the event would be the next president of the United States, sounded a softer note in a statement congratulating Cain on his win.

“Clearly, communicating a strong conservative message directly to Florida and its grassroots voters made a difference today,” said Scott, who has a close relationship with Perry.

lol !

The Big Winner...............CAIN....

The BigLOSER(S)...........Rick Scott and that Country Square, Rick Perry.....................

Prior to the vote, reporters from Fox News and the local FL newspapers were picking up a lot of disappointment with Perry, especially after his poor performance at the most recent GOP debate.

It's not necessarily that these folks suddenly fell in love with Herman Cain.

It's that they wanted to register their disappointment with Perry and send him a message. And to do that, Herman Cain--being perceived as a staunch conservative--was the right candidate to vote for. Voting for Romney over Perry would have made it look like they're prepared to go moderate, which is not the message they wanted to send.

I'm sure that if Perry improves his debating skills, and changes his message on immigration (that nonsense about his critics "lacking a heart" has got to go), he can still win these folks back.

Perry is an idiot who should not be in the race. The only three that I would consider is Mitt, Ron and Herman. The rest of the fools need to leave the stage and let those three go at it. Then the Repugs select the best of them (I would add Cristy if he wants to get in). Those are the only ones that stand a real chance of turning the Country around or defeating Obama. IMHO of course.

I like the way Republican voters are sorting out these candidates. They're not hurrying to close the deal on Romney. They took a close look at Bachman, and are now putting her to one side. They are open to Perry, but want more from him.

Now they're considering Cain. If he can hold up, and establish his credibility, he will give Obama fits at multiple levels. If not, Gingrich will get a turn. Newt has deep policy knowledge, and articulates it well. If Romney survives all these challenges, he will deserve the nomination.

Be assured, by the time the process is completed, this lame president will be a lame duck!

I am a 67 year old southern white boy and now I know I not prejudice. Folks have said I was against Obama because he was black. Well what are they going to say when I tell em I am for Herman Cain? Believe me, we want the right person, regardless of color. I think this man, Herman Cain, is the man that will save America. Even though I prefer the Fair Tax plan I believe Mr. Cain's 999 plan is a major step in the right direction.

9% corporate taxes will bring the bacon back home to American. Business can now compete. Businesses will revive, employment will go up and the late great America will be back on the rise. The 9% personal tax will be fair to everyone and will spur consumer spending which again will jolt our economy into high gear. The 9% sales tax will force government to focus on creating an environment for businesses to grow and expand (means more revenue for the government).